Alpha's Rejected becomes the Lycan's Obsession-Chapter 33: Nothing and no one

Roman didn’t know how to feel about what she had just said. Hearing her claim the house as hers brought him a strange sense of satisfaction, like a small victory in the midst of their ongoing battle. But her eyes still held so much spite for him, and it stung more than he cared to admit.

He shifted his gaze to Daniel, giving him a look that needed no explanation. The young man didn’t need to be told twice—he disappeared from the room in an instant, leaving the two of them alone.

With Daniel gone, Roman moved to the bed and sat down beside Tessy, his weight causing the mattress to dip slightly. He glanced at the leftover food on the tray before turning his attention to her face.

She had a glass of juice in her hand, and her wary gaze followed his every move. Thankfully, she didn’t flinch or move away when he sat down beside her, though her body was tense, like a coiled spring ready to snap.

"If you want company so badly, my room is right next to yours," Roman said, his voice low and steady. "You could have sent for me or just come to me." His eyes zeroed in on the area just below the side of her lips, where a stray drop of juice rested. She seemed unaware of it, her focus entirely on him, and he found himself oddly fascinated by the small detail.

"I don’t want your company," Tessy retorted, her voice sharp but lacking its usual bite.

Instead of responding or changing his expression, Roman reached out, his hand moving toward the exact spot on her face where the stray drop was.

Tessy’s eyes widened, and she jerked her head back, trying to move out of his reach, but she wasn’t fast enough. His fingers caught her chin, his grip firm but gentle, and she froze.

"W-what are you doing?" she stuttered, caught between trying to pull away and the strange, almost magnetic pull of his touch. His skin against hers felt... good. Too good. She remembered the first time she’d touched him, how warm and electrifying he’d felt, and how she hadn’t wanted to let go. Why that was, she couldn’t explain, but it unnerved her.

Roman didn’t answer her question. Instead, he kept his eyes on her, watching the confusion flicker across her face. He felt it too—that electric sensation that only came when one touched their destined mate. It was intoxicating, overwhelming, and it made it hard to think straight.

It hadn’t been like this with his first mate. She had been over the moon when he found her, and pleasing her had come easily. Their feelings had been mutual, their bond strong. But her death had shattered him, turned him into someone he didn’t recognize. It had brought him centuries of pain, a curse, and a loneliness he couldn’t escape.

And now, here was his second chance—a mate who wanted nothing to do with him. He knew his methods hadn’t been ideal. Hell, they hadn’t even been good. But after everything he’d been through, how could he just let her slip away?

"Your eyes are beautiful," he said suddenly, his voice soft but sincere. He’d been captivated by them since the first day he’d seen her, but he hadn’t found the right moment to say it until now.

Tessy blinked, caught off guard by the compliment. Her brows knitted together as she tried to make sense of his words. He wasn’t the first person to compliment her eyes, but there was something different about the way he said it. Was he expecting her to say thank you? She wasn’t sure.

Before she could respond, Roman’s gaze shifted to her lips, then lower to the spot where the drop of juice had been. His thumb moved slowly, deliberately, brushing against her skin to wipe it away. The touch sent a shiver down her spine, and she couldn’t help the way her breath hitched.

When he was done, he let go of her chin and turned his thumb to show her the liquid. Then, to her shock, he brought his thumb to his lips and licked it off.

Tessy’s eyes widened, her cheeks flushing. He could have just told her about the spill and let her wipe it off herself. Why had he done that? And why had he licked it? Was he... trying to seduce her? If that was his goal, it was working. Her body was reacting in ways she couldn’t control, and his closeness, his intense gaze, and the way he looked at her like she was the only thing that mattered—it was all too much.

"You are a married woman, Tessy," Roman said abruptly, his expression shifting to something more serious. His words snapped her out of her daze, and she blinked at him, confused.

"And your husband is one hell of a jealous bastard," he continued, his tone firm but not unkind. "I don’t appreciate my wife craving another man’s company when I’m not dead or unable to perform my duty." He held up a hand, cutting her off before she could retort. "Shhh," he said softly, and to her own surprise, she fell silent.

Roman leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "It doesn’t matter whether you want it or not. It’s my job as your husband, and I’m going to do it." He paused, his gaze searching hers. "I know we got off on the wrong foot. That’s why I’m here to make things right. Give me a chance to make you happy. That’s all I want."

Tessy stared at him, her mind racing. "You want to make me happy?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Of course," Roman said without hesitation. "I’ll do and give anything you ask."

"Then let me go," Tessy said, her voice firm despite the way her heart was pounding. "That’s what would make me happy."

Roman let out a sigh, already expecting her answer. "As impossible as that feels and sounds, I would have granted that request," he admitted. "I would have courted you properly, married you the right way. But that option is gone now. My enemies have identified you with me, and they’ll stop at nothing to hurt you, knowing how much that would hurt me in return."

Tessy frowned, her confusion evident. "Why would hurting me hurt you?"

Roman’s gaze softened, and for a moment, he looked almost vulnerable. "Because right now, nothing else in my life matters as much as you do," he said, his voice quiet but filled with conviction. "Nothing and no one is as important as you are."